Couple Therapy Assessment, Evaluation, and Intervention

This study aimed to conceptualize and integrate the psychological processes of emotional adaptation in couples facing chronic stress in order to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding marital emotional dynamics. This qualitative study was conducted as a theoretical review; data were collected exclusively through a systematic examination of relevant scientific literature, and 15 articles were selected using purposive sampling; thematic analysis with open, axial, and selective coding was employed, supported by NVivo 14 software, and the analytical process continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The results revealed that couples’ emotional adaptation under chronic stress is organized into three main levels: individual emotional reorganization, including emotional awareness, regulation of negative emotions, cognitive reappraisal, and emotional acceptance; interactive emotional regulation within the couple system, encompassing emotional coregulation, constructive emotional communication, mutual emotional support, and emotional trust; and stabilization of emotional adaptation in the relationship context, involving institutionalization of shared coping patterns, strengthening of emotional bonds, enhancement of dyadic resilience, and long-term emotional stability. Emotional adaptation in couples is a dynamic, multilevel process emerging from the continuous interaction of individual and relational resources and plays a critical role in maintaining psychological well-being, marital satisfaction, and relational stability under chronic stress.

This study aims to systematically explain the emotional, cognitive, and interactional mechanisms underlying destructive communication patterns in couples experiencing chronic conflict. This qualitative review employed thematic analysis based solely on systematic literature review. Following comprehensive database searches, 15 eligible studies were selected and analyzed until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data coding and theme development were conducted using NVivo version 14 through open coding, conceptual organization, and theme integration. Three core themes emerged: emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortions, and maladaptive interaction patterns. These systems function in a cyclical, self-reinforcing manner, whereby heightened emotional reactivity, negative interpretations, demand–withdraw cycles, attack–defense sequences, and communication avoidance perpetuate and intensify marital conflict. Marital conflict represents a multidimensional phenomenon requiring simultaneous intervention across emotional, cognitive, and interactional domains. The findings underscore the necessity of integrated couple-therapy models emphasizing emotion regulation, cognitive restructuring, and interactional reorganization.

This study aimed to systematically explain the cognitive, emotional, and relational mechanisms underlying the formation and persistence of emotional misinterpretations in couples. This qualitative review study employed a theoretical analysis approach through a systematic literature review. Using purposive theoretical sampling, 15 relevant scholarly articles were selected from major international databases and analyzed until theoretical saturation was achieved. Textual data were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo (version 14) following open, axial, and selective coding procedures to construct the final conceptual model. Three major themes were identified: cognitive distortions in emotional processing, impairments in emotional regulation and co-regulation, and the breakdown of emotional communication and relational meaning-making. The interaction of these factors contributes to misinterpretation of emotional messages, persistent conflict, reduced emotional security, and erosion of couples’ emotional capital. Emotional misinterpretations represent a multi-level and systemic phenomenon that, without targeted intervention, perpetuates chronic conflict and marital dissatisfaction; therefore, integrated couple-therapy interventions focusing on cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, and emotional communication are essential.

This study aimed to explain the underlying psychological mechanisms involved in the formation of latent marital conflicts. This research employed a qualitative review design using interpretive content analysis. Data were collected exclusively through systematic literature review, and 14 high-quality scientific articles were purposefully selected until theoretical saturation was achieved. The extracted data were analyzed using NVivo software (version 14) following open, axial, and selective coding procedures, resulting in the development of an integrated conceptual framework. The findings indicated that latent marital conflicts emerge from the interaction of three core processes: gradual erosion of emotional bonding, cognitive distortions in relationship perception, and behavioral patterns that conceal conflict. These mechanisms progressively reduce intimacy, intensify emotional distance, stabilize maladaptive cognitions, and promote avoidant communication patterns, thereby embedding conflict in a silent yet chronic form within marital relationships. Understanding latent marital conflicts requires an integrative psychological approach that simultaneously addresses emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions of couple relationships and provides a foundation for effective preventive and therapeutic interventions.

This study aims to systematically elucidate the psychological mechanisms underlying emotional burnout among spouses based on existing scientific evidence. This qualitative review study adopted an analytical approach. The research corpus consisted of peer-reviewed articles on emotional burnout and marital relationships, selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved; ultimately, 15 eligible articles were included. Data were collected exclusively through systematic literature review. Qualitative content analysis was conducted using NVivo software (version 14), following open, axial, and selective coding procedures to extract conceptual patterns and interrelationships among components. The results indicated that emotional burnout among spouses emerges from the dynamic interaction of three major domains: emotional–individual vulnerabilities (deficits in emotion regulation, insecure attachment styles, negative self-concept, and adverse emotional experiences), dysfunctional interactional patterns (impaired emotional communication, chronic conflict cycles, reduced intimacy, power imbalance, and unstable emotional support), and contextual–psychological stressors (economic and occupational stress, erosion of family roles, lack of social support, stressful life events, and limited coping resources). Over time, the cumulative effects of these factors lead to emotional exhaustion, depletion of emotional capital, and progressive emotional disengagement within the marital relationship. Emotional burnout is a complex, multi-level, and gradual process that requires integrative interventions at individual, relational, and contextual levels. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for developing marital counseling programs, emotional skills training, and family health promotion policies.

This study aimed to develop an integrative model explaining the psychological dynamics underlying relationships among couples on the verge of divorce. This research employed a qualitative review design grounded in data-driven theoretical analysis. Data were collected exclusively through a systematic review of national and international scientific literature on marital relationships, couple conflict, and divorce processes. Following targeted database searches, 15 eligible articles were selected based on inclusion criteria and analyzed until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data management and coding were conducted using NVivo 14. The analytic process involved open, axial, and selective coding, resulting in the development of a comprehensive conceptual model. The analysis yielded three core themes: erosion of emotional bonding, cycles of conflict and communication breakdown, and transformation of relational identity leading to divorce decision-making. These processes revealed that emotional dysregulation, cognitive distortions, trust deterioration, communication blockage, and shifts in relational values interactively accelerate marital dissolution. Psychological dynamics of couples approaching divorce reflect a complex interactive system of emotional, cognitive, communicative, and identity-based processes, indicating that effective interventions must simultaneously address these dimensions to prevent marital breakdown.

This study aimed to provide an integrative explanation of the psychological mechanisms of emotional co-regulation and its role in improving couple relationships. This qualitative review employed a thematic analysis approach based on systematic examination of the literature. Data were collected exclusively through a targeted review of published studies, and 14 relevant articles were selected after screening. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo 14 following open, axial, and selective coding procedures, and the analytic process continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The results indicated that emotional co-regulation operates as a core relational mechanism across three major domains: interactive emotion regulation, transformation of attachment bonds, and enhancement of relational functioning. Couples with higher levels of emotional co-regulation demonstrated greater emotional security, intimacy, marital satisfaction, relational stability, more effective conflict management, and reduced emotional exhaustion. Emotional co-regulation represents a fundamental psychological resource in couple relationships, playing a critical role in marital stability, mental health, and overall relational well-being; systematic attention to this construct provides a strong foundation for effective couple-therapy interventions.

This study aims to qualitatively elucidate the underlying cognitive mechanisms of marital misinterpretations and to develop an integrated conceptual framework for understanding relational conflict dynamics. This research employed an interpretive qualitative review design using systematic thematic analysis. Data were collected exclusively through literature review, and following targeted database searches, 13 eligible scholarly articles were selected. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo 14, following open, axial, and selective coding procedures until theoretical saturation was achieved. Analytical rigor was ensured through continuous comparison, repeated data immersion, and stabilization of conceptual categories. Results revealed that marital misinterpretations emerge from the interaction of three core processes: cognitive distortions in relational information processing, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation patterns, and dysfunctional interpersonal attributions and meaning-making. These mechanisms operate within a negative feedback loop that intensifies chronic conflict, erodes cognitive trust, and gradually undermines marital intimacy. Effective marital interventions must prioritize cognitive restructuring, attributional correction, and emotional self-regulation rather than relying solely on surface-level communication training.